Why Alphonso Mangoes Are the Best in the World

Alphonso Mangoes

The Alphonso mango is one of India’s most cherished seasonal delicacies. While it has a global following and even made it onto the ‘1,000 things to eat before you die’ list, there is a lot more to this mango variety than its popularity. It has a distinct balance of sweetness, acidity, texture and flavour that sets it apart from other mangoes in the world.

Mangoes are incredibly sensitive to their environment – the soil and climate in which they are grown can have a significant impact on how they taste. Alphonso Mango are grown primarily in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. The fruit is known for its saffron-coloured flesh, rich texture and delicate pulp. Its skin is thin but firm, making it easy to peel and its sweet fragrance is intoxicating.

Despite their short season (late June through July) there’s always demand for this premium Indian fruit. The Alphonso has captured the imagination of chefs like Richard Corrigan, Yotam Ottolenghi and Vivek Singh, starring on dessert and cocktail menus across the UK. Chefs at London’s Cinnamon Club use the fruit in mango and cardamom creme brulee and Milsom Group restaurants in Suffolk and Essex serve the fruit in a range of dishes including cheesecake, panna cotta and smoothies. This year MasterChef winner Shelina Permalloo has even taken to Instagram to sell limited edition mango and Bloomsbury Prairie fire chilli truffles.

Why Alphonso Mangoes Are the Best in the World

The cult of the Alphonso mango is partly due to the fact that it’s the most disease-resistant cultivar in India. The saffron-coloured fruit is a hybrid of Kesar and Sindhuri varieties. It was named after the conqueror Alfonso de Albuquerque, who brought the fruit to Goa. It was later cultivated in the Konkan region of Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Mango trees are susceptible to a number of diseases, including nematodes and stem rots. As a result, farmers often spray the plants with chemicals to protect them. However, these pesticides can damage the fruit, as they can kill off the mango plant and contaminate the harvest. It is for this reason that it’s important to choose high-quality, healthy mangoes when purchasing. Look for a yellowish hue, firm but tender to the touch and free of bruises and blemishes.

Investing in a supplier with strong quality standards is essential for B2B owners who want to maximise the potential of this seasonal delicacy. Sun Impex has a long-standing reputation for providing superior quality products, sourced from local farms in India’s best growing regions. The company’s strict quality controls ensure that the mango pulp, puree and IQF slices and dices they supply are as fresh as those plucked straight from the field. This is why their customers are always satisfied.

The Alphonso was a hit in the US too, where it was sold at the farmers’ markets in New York City and on the websites of Indian groceries and online retailers such as Amazon. It has also made its way into the diet of celebrity chefs such as Mario Batali, who serves it at his NYC restaurant Del Posto.